Chapter 364: Shi Caiming

May 21st, morning, the first day after Li Fei left seclusion.

Early that morning, Li Fei went to the cafeteria for breakfast as usual.

Not long after he sat down, Li Tianyu walked over quickly.

"I heard your master's aunt was arrested, is it true?"

She asked with a worried look on her face.

Li Fei looked up at Li Tianyu, sensed the aura on her, and couldn't help but be startled:

"You broke through your realm?"

Li Tianyu nodded: "Yes, I just broke through a few days ago. Because you were in seclusion, I couldn't tell you right away."

More than two months ago, when she and Li Fei returned to Xingcheng together, she was at the late stage of Body Breaking.

At that time, Li Fei even took her to Chen Family Village, where she experienced some training and triggered a core-level extraordinary ability: 【Berserk Battle】.

Now, more than two months later, Li Tianyu had successfully broken through to the Qi Transformation stage.

To go from the late stage of Body Breaking to the Qi Transformation stage requires strengthening one's power of intent through life-and-death tempering; that Li Tianyu could break through so quickly shows she has experienced quite a lot during this time.

"Congratulations."

Li Fei was genuinely happy for her.

Li Tianyu only had her implant installed last September and embarked on the path of martial cultivation; in less than a year, she had already become a Martial Master.

Judging by the aptitude detected when she started school, this speed was already very fast, far exceeding expectations!

"Is the matter regarding your master's aunt true?"

Li Tianyu continued to ask.

"Yes."

Li Fei nodded.

"Then what are you planning to do? They say this matter is deeply involved, and even the Iron Peak Gate was wiped out."

Li Tianyu asked anxiously.

She had joined the Heroine Society, and the president, Du Ya, was the daughter of the Du family head, Du Changhe, so she could naturally learn a lot of inside information; that was why she heard these things from Du Ya.

Li Fei thought for a moment and smiled at Li Tianyu:

"Sister, don't worry, I know my limits."

Li Tianyu understood what Li Fei meant: "In other words, you still intend to intervene in this matter?"

"Yes."

Li Fei did not lie to her, because perhaps after today, everyone would know.

Li Tianyu was silent for a moment and said: "If you want to communicate with the Du family, I can help you talk to Du Ya."

"Okay, if there is a need, I will look for you."

Li Fei did not refuse.

"Alright, you must be careful yourself."

Li Tianyu gave Li Fei a deep look, then stood up and left.

Du Ya had made it very clear to her that this matter involved the entire officialdom of Datong Prefecture; only if she were already a powerhouse at the Dao Foundation stage would she have a chance to help Li Fei.

A Martial Master who had just broken through was still too weak.

So she could only leave silently and continue her cultivation.

Li Fei, meanwhile, was calculating in his heart whether it was possible to borrow strength from the Du family, but he ultimately decided to wait until after he met the President of Wu'an University, Shi Caiming.

After eating, he walked straight toward the Academic Affairs building and arrived at Wen Ke's office once again.

This time, there was not only Wen Ke in the office, but one more person.

This person looked to be in his thirties, wore his hair long, and sat on the sofa with his back straight, like a green pine in a mountain stream.

"You're here."

Wen Ke greeted Li Fei, then pointed to the man sitting on the sofa and introduced him:

"This is Professor Qin Zhen."

Qin Zhen!

Hearing this name, Li Fei couldn't help but take a few extra looks at the man.

Number one on the Feng Province Wind and Cloud List, at the peak of the Dao Foundation stage, and on the candidate list for the overall Wind and Cloud List.

He was the second person in the Feng Province martial arts world in many years, after Hao Yi, to make it onto the candidate list for the overall Wind and Cloud List.

"Greetings, Professor Qin."

Li Fei bowed to Qin Zhen.

Qin Zhen nodded and examined Li Fei seriously: "Wen Ke said you have already broken through to the Dao Foundation stage?"

Li Fei: "That's correct."

"When did you break through to the late stage of Qi Transformation?"

"March 18th of this year."

"You completed your breakthrough yesterday; the total time for 'Returning to One' was 63 days, nearly 30 days faster than the historical record. Can you let me examine you?"

Qin Zhen asked.

"Yes."

Li Fei said candidly.

Qin Zhen stood up, walked to Li Fei, and reached out to lightly tap Li Fei's dantian.

The next second, an upright and peaceful aura entered Li Fei's body.

Li Fei did not resist and allowed this aura to probe his dantian.

Qin Zhen did not probe other parts of Li Fei's body; he only used his Innate Qi to check Li Fei's dantian, and it was over in a few seconds.

He took a step back and nodded at Li Fei: "You had your implant installed on July 18th of last year. From embarking on the path of martial arts to breaking through to the Dao Foundation stage, you only used ten months. This speed is also the fastest in history, more than two months faster than the previous record! You are worthy of being Senior Hao Yi's student."

Li Fei heard the touch of respect in Qin Zhen's voice when he mentioned Hao Yi's name, so he couldn't help but ask:

"Does Professor Qin also know my teacher?"

Qin Zhen shook his head: "I've heard of him, but I've never met him."

"How is it, will the President see him?"

Wen Ke, who was on the side, asked.

Qin Zhen looked at Li Fei: "The fastest breakthrough speed in history; such a student, the President naturally wants to see."

"Then I'll leave him to you."

Wen Ke said.

Qin Zhen turned to Li Fei and said:

"Follow me."

Afterwards, Li Fei followed Qin Zhen out of the Academic Affairs building and walked all the way toward the area where exotic beasts were bred.

First, they walked through a forest, then through the ice field he had visited before, and finally, Qin Zhen brought Li Fei to the foot of a small mountain.

The mountain was not high, the vegetation was lush, and there was a staircase leading straight to the summit.

"The President is waiting for you on the mountain."

Qin Zhen turned to Li Fei and said.

It seemed he would not be going up the mountain with Li Fei.

"Many thanks for leading the way, Professor Qin."

Li Fei bowed to Qin Zhen.

Qin Zhen's expression softened.

To be a peerless genius who had even set the fastest record in history, yet remain so unarrogant and so humble and polite, was truly rare.

Qin Zhen asked himself if he could have done that when he was young, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of favor toward Li Fei.

"Go on."

He nodded at Li Fei.

And so, Li Fei began to climb the mountain.

During the climb, he recalled in his mind the information he had gathered about Shi Caiming the previous night:

The man had been a Martial Arts Master over thirty years ago, the number one person in the Feng Province martial arts world, with students and disciples all over Feng Province, and was highly respected.

Seventeen years ago, when Wu'an University was founded, Shi Caiming had already reached a higher level, becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and was invited by the imperial court to serve as the first president of Wu'an University.

Seventeen years had passed, and Shi Caiming was still the undisputed number one martial artist in Feng Province, and also the only Martial Arts Grandmaster in Feng Province!

Every Martial Arts Grandmaster could be called a living legend, and now Li Fei was about to meet this legend.

A few minutes later, he reached the summit, and what came into view was a large lawn with a courtyard not far away.

Next to the courtyard was a cliff, and by the edge of the cliff were two chairs and a wooden table.

An old man wearing a white lab coat was lying on a lounge chair, smoking leisurely.

Li Fei bowed from a distance:

"Student Li Fei, greetings to the President."

The old man was naturally the President of Wu'an University, Shi Caiming.

He turned his head to look over and waved at Li Fei with a smile.

Li Fei stepped forward, and in the process, he got a clear look at this president of Wu'an University.

The man was bald, his eyebrows were completely white, his face had distinct wrinkles, and he looked like a thin, withered, and very elderly little old man.

A martial artist's physique is different from an ordinary person's, and their lifespan is similarly enhanced.

In this world, the average lifespan of an ordinary human is about 70 years; for every implant a martial artist integrates and cultivates to the Qi Transformation stage, they can increase their lifespan by about 10 years.

Therefore, a Dao Foundation stage expert who has integrated five implants can theoretically reach a lifespan of 120 years.

Even after subtracting the effects of some injuries or illnesses, they can live to at least 110.

This is why people like Shangguan Xiao and Hao Yi are already fifty or sixty years old, yet look like they are only in their early thirties.

And once a martial artist completes their Martial Dao Foundation and becomes a Martial Dao Master, their lifespan will immediately increase by 60 years!

Furthermore, after completing the Martial Dao Foundation, the body will no longer age; even on the day they pass away, their appearance will be the same as it was on the day they broke through.

Although Shi Caiming is already ninety-one years old this year, he was only in his fifties when he became a Martial Dao Master; at that time, he looked at most like he was in his early thirties.

Normally, his appearance should have remained locked at that time and should not be as aged as it is now.

"Principal Shi is in poor health and has been in seclusion for years."

Li Fei recalled this sentence that Wen Ke said in the car yesterday, and he felt thoughtful.

"Principal."

Soon, Li Fei walked to the edge of the cliff where Shi Caiming was.

"Hmm, want one?"

Shi Caiming raised the lit cigarette in his hand and asked very naturally.

Li Fei did not expect that the first sentence spoken upon meeting the other party would be this.

He shook his head: "Thank you, Principal, I don't smoke."

"Alright, then wait for me to finish this one."

Shi Caiming nodded and continued to puff away, looking completely satisfied.

"Sometimes I have to admire those foreigners; they certainly know how to enjoy themselves."

Shi Caiming sighed with emotion while smoking.

Li Fei was not yet clear about the other party's temperament, so he simply echoed the sentiment without saying much more.

A moment later, Shi Caiming finished the cigarette in his hand.

He pointed to the wine jar placed on the table: "Do you drink?"

Li Fei could not fail to understand the other party's meaning, so he immediately indicated:

"I will have a drink with you, Principal."

After speaking, he took the initiative to pick up the wine jar on the table and began to pour.

"Haha, come, fill it up."

Shi Caiming laughed.

After Li Fei poured two cups of wine, Shi Caiming signaled for him to sit down.

"Principal, I toast you."

"Good."

The two lightly clinked their glasses, and then Shi Caiming downed the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"Ah—"

After finishing, Shi Caiming's complexion was slightly ruddy, and he sighed:

"But this wine, it is still the best from our Great Lan Dynasty."

"Indeed, good wine!"

Li Fei praised sincerely.

He had originally thought the wine a Martial Dao Master drank would be some secret brew capable of increasing cultivation, but he found that this wine was simply mellow and fragrant, with a great taste.

"Can't drink anymore, any more and I'll be drunk."

Seeing that Li Fei was about to continue pouring, Shi Caiming waved his hand to stop him.

Then, he skillfully pulled a cigarette from the pack on the table; without any movement from him, and without Li Fei sensing the slightest fluctuation of internal force, the cigarette was lit.

"Hmm, a cigarette after a drink is better than being an immortal."

Shi Caiming signaled to Li Fei while smoking.

Compared to other experts Li Fei had met, there was a rare, worldly air about Shi Caiming, which made Li Fei feel a sense of closeness.

"Wen Ke said you wanted to see me."

Shi Caiming suddenly brought up the main business, "I said, then let's meet. My Martial Arts University has produced a student with the fastest breakthrough speed in history; in the future, when I talk about it, this old face of mine will also have some glory."

"Principal, you flatter me too much."

Li Fei said hurriedly.

Shi Caiming looked at him and said very casually:

"From now on, all the Martial Dao secret manuals owned by the Martial Arts University are open to you; credits and fees can be owed for now. Also, all the implants you need during the Dao Foundation stage can be provided to you by the university for free."

These two conditions could be said to be very generous; the authority to exchange for Martial Dao secret manuals goes without saying, and the implants Li Fei would need in the future to cultivate the 【Primordial Heavenly Gold】 were not easy to find.

The first second-grade superior 【Steel Armor】 was one in a million, and the ones that followed were even rarer.

Having the Martial Arts University help find them, and providing them for free, was a huge help to Li Fei!

Before Li Fei could stand up to thank him, Shi Caiming continued:

"You can come here once every week from now on."

This meant he intended to personally guide Li Fei's cultivation!

Shi Caiming had not taken on a student for many years; the guidance of a Martial Dao Master was worth its weight in gold!

"Thank you, Principal!"

Li Fei stood up and bowed to Shi Caiming again.

"Hmm."

Shi Caiming took a puff of his cigarette, "Do you have any other requests?"

"No."

Li Fei shook his head.

"None?"

Shi Caiming showed a look of surprise.

"Yes, to be so favored by the Principal, this student is deeply grateful!"

Li Fei said with a sincere expression.

"Haha, good, then you may head down the mountain."

Shi Caiming laughed.

Li Fei nodded, bowed once more, and then turned to leave.

Shi Caiming watched his departing back, a look of nostalgia in his eyes.

He had once watched another brilliant young person leave from here just like this.

Soon, Li Fei walked down the mountain and found that Qin Zhen was still waiting for him at the foot of the mountain.

"Take this token; from now on, you can use it to enter and leave here freely."

After Li Fei came down the mountain, Qin Zhen handed him a black token.

Li Fei took the token with both hands and found that the character 'Shi' was written on it; he also felt a faint trace of sword intent from the token.

"This token was forged by the Principal using his own divine ability, and it has a strand of the Principal's sword intent attached to it; at a critical moment, you can use this token to trigger this sword intent for self-protection."

Qin Zhen explained.

Li Fei was somewhat pleasantly surprised; he did not expect such a harvest.

With this token, the things he wanted to do next would be easier to accomplish.

Next, Qin Zhen took him away from this exotic beast breeding area.

After bidding farewell to Qin Zhen, Li Fei first went to the Academic Affairs building to re-register his realm.

After he left the Academic Affairs building, the news of his breakthrough began to spread at a terrifying speed!

Next, Li Fei headed toward another building.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the Security Department of the Martial Arts University.

This place was responsible for the security work of the entire Martial Arts University.

"Hello, I would like to see the person in charge of the Security Department."

Li Fei stated his request.

Soon, he successfully met the person in charge of the Security Department, who was a Dao Foundation stage expert.

"Student Li Fei, is there something you need?"

The person in charge of the Security Department was very polite toward Li Fei.

He had already learned the news of Li Fei's breakthrough and also knew that Li Fei had just gone to see the Principal.

Li Fei looked at him and said calmly:

"Half a month ago, I suffered an attack outside the school, and I will be leaving the school frequently in the future, so I would like to request that the school provide protection for my personal safety."

Seeking monthly votes.

(End of chapter)